PRECIS WRITING

What should you learn?

1. Purpose of precis writing
2. Principles of précis writing
3. Steps in making the précis
4. Steps in developing the title

Purpose of Precis Writing

1. Writing skill
2. Clarity of expression
3. Reading skill

Principles / Rules
1. Size a. Instruction of the examiner
Example: Make a precis of the given passage in 120 words
and suggest a suitable title.
b. No instruction
Example: Make a precis of the given passage and suggest a
suitable title.
c. Leeway / Margin: 4%-+
 Required words: 100
 Acceptable range:96-104 words

4. Selection of a. Don’t skip points from the original passage.

points b. Trim the unnecessary details of the points: the details without
which the core message can be conveyed.
c. Follow the principle of unity to trim the unnecessary details /
compress the content.

5. Content of a. Must be the same as is of the original passage.

precis b. No addition or reduction in meanings
c. Don’t let the content be influenced by:
1. Your own knowledge on the subject matter
2. Your religious beliefs
3. Your political affiliation

6. Language a. Write precis in your own language structure (core principle).

structure b. Don’t change the core key words that define / describe the
subject.
c. Don’t refurbish your passage. Dismantle the language
structure of the original passage (as you demolish your old
house to build a new one), then write precis in your own
language structure.
d. Don’t use forced synonyms.
7. Vocabulary a. Simple vocabulary
b. No idioms / figurative expressions
c. No proverbs

8. Sentences a. Simple / affirmative / informative ending at full stop

b. No interrogative sentences
c. No imperative sentences
d. No optative sentences
e. No exclamatory sentences
NAFEES AHMAD,
NOA English School (CSS/PMS), a project of National Officers Academy, Islamabad.
9. Paragraph a. Write precis in one paragraph.
b. Ensure the principle of clarity, coherence, unity, organization

10. Indirect a. Remove quotation marks

speech b. Write precis in third person: he / she / they / it / one
c. Never write “the author”
d. You may write “the writer”
e. When should you write “the writer”?
 You should write when the content of the passage is
on the writer’s personal life

11. Tense a. Generally, précis is written in the same tense as is of the

original passage
Exception: It will change when the narration changes.
b. There may be more than one tense in précis.

12. Names a. Never write a series of names.

b. When a number of people have a certain opinion, they
should be written as a GROUP.
c. You may write the name of the prominent person who leads
the group.

13. Numbers a. Only important numbers

b. Only important facts

14. Examples Never reproduce but incorporate the meaning /theme / message
of the following:
a. Interrogative statements
b. Quotations
c. Proverbs
d. Dialogue

15. Forbidden Never write the words in your précis: “for example”, “for instance”
words

Steps in precis writing

Step-1:
1. ……………………………………………………………………………..
2. ……………………………………………………………………………..
3. ……………………………………………………………………………..
4. ……………………………………………………………………………..
5. ……………………………………………………………………………..

Step-2:
1. ……………………………………………………………………………..
2. ……………………………………………………………………………..
3. ……………………………………………………………………………..
4. ……………………………………………………………………………..
5. ……………………………………………………………………………..

Step-3: Suggested titles

1. …………………………
2. …………………………
3. ………………………..

NAFEES AHMAD,
NOA English School (CSS/PMS), a project of National Officers Academy, Islamabad.
Step-4: Paragraph
1. Transitional words where necessary for coherence
2. Removal of unnecessary repeated words: use of pronouns

Final Draft / Precis

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
(Title)
…………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………..

Original words: 350

Precis words: 117

PRECIS TITLE (05 MARKS)

Characteristics
1. Size
a. Mini: one word (not generally good)
b. Maxi: six words
2. Never be a complete sentence of any type.
3. Must be a phrase.
4. Must not end with any punctuation sign; however, a suitable punctuation, if
necessary, may be used before the end.
5. Never be written in “…”
6. Must be written in your own words, no quotation, no proverb.
7. The most important and repeated key word(s) shall be reproduced in the title.
8. Must be exact in scope
9. Use simple language
10. Must be written at the top (center), with marker.

Steps
1. Step-1: Identify your topic / subject in the passage / precis.
2. Step-2: Identify the sub-topic(s) of the topic / subject.
3. Step-3: Write the topic and the sub-topic(s) in a phrase.

Analogy
Essay statement = topic + topic inquiry/sub-topic

NAFEES AHMAD,
NOA English School (CSS/PMS), a project of National Officers Academy, Islamabad.
Precis title = topic + sub-topic

NAFEES AHMAD,
NOA English School (CSS/PMS), a project of National Officers Academy, Islamabad.